In the Autobiography of a Yogi, Yogananda lists this Cosmic Chant as being among “a number of my compositions.” He must have sung it also in Bengali, as Swami Kriyananda learnt to sing it. As was stated above, Yogananda composed this chant after Swami Dhrirananda had left him and his work.
The lyrics, in extended form, are found in Whispers From Eternity and in the Praecepta Lessons. They perfectly express the mood of the chant: I Will Be Thine Always
Yogananda also applies this unshakable determination “I will be Thine always” to the Guru. In his Praecepta Lessons, he writes: “When I accepted my Master’s unconditional friendship, he said: ‘Will you be my friend under all circumstances? Will you protect me in my highest or in my lowest strata of mind?’ I was amazed, for how could I dream of my Master being in the lowest strata, but until I vowed to be his friend always, under all circumstances, he did not rest. He was gladdened when I said: ‘I will be thine always.’ It was then, after this amazing spiritual compact, that I understood the significance of a Guru, and really, I never found complete satisfaction, comfort, and God Consciousness until I tuned myself in with the Divine consciousness of my Master.”
LYRICS:
My Lord, I will be Thine always,
My Lord, I will be Thine always;
I may go far, farther than the stars;
I may go far, farther than the stars;
But I will be Thine always,
My Lord, I will be Thine always.
Devotees may come, devotees may go;
Devotees may come, devotees may go;
But I will be Thine always,
My Lord, I will be Thine always.
When I die, look into mine eyes;
When I die, look into mine eyes;
They will mutely say, I will be Thine always
My Lord, I will be Thine always.
WHEN TO USE THIS SONG:
Sing during bereavement, loss or parting of friends.
SING ALONG:
Swami Kriyananda sings this Cosmic Chant with deep devotion in both English and Bengali.